LARGO – The newly established Downtown Largo Merchants Association will host its first event this weekend: a sidewalk sale along West Bay Drive.

Businesses in the 200, 300 and 400 block of West Bay Drive will join the festivities on Saturday, May 11, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Sunday, May 12, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., bringing their merchandise outside in front of their stores and under tents

The event is designed to not only attract customers, but create a sense of community in Largo’s downtown, said Tanya Pistillo, owner of the Wandering Star Gallery.

“All of downtown businesses are pretty much on board,” she said.

Pistillo’s gallery, new to West Bay Drive, was opened in part to promote visual art within the city of Largo. Pistillo, a native of Largo, has a passion for community and wanted to address the lack of cohesion among the downtown businesses that she saw as she tried to open the gallery.

The Downtown Largo Merchants Association – which started as a Facebook group on April 29 as the idea of a sidewalk sale began to take shape – is an expression of that objective for community.

Along with the gallery, businesses participating in the sidewalk sale are Largo Feed, Bloomtown Florist, Gulf Coast Po’ Boys and Marcotte’s Architectual Salvage, according to the Facebook page. PAO food truck will join the sale on Sunday.

Pistillo is still moving forward with her idea to bring monthly events to Ulmer Park, located on the south side of the West Bay Drive. The Loving Largo Community Events will be held on second Saturdays from September to May.